Category Archives: OC District Attorney

ASSOCIATION OF ORANGE COUNTY DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS CALL ON TODD SPITZER TO STOP DECEPTIVE CAMPAIGNING

In March of 2018, the members of the Association of Orange County Deputy District Attorneys (“AOCDDA”) voted and endorsed Tony Rackauckas for District Attorney. The AOCDDA published the endorsement, stating, “By voting to endorse Tony Rackauckas for District Attorney, the members of the Association of Orange County Deputy District Attorneys have reaffirmed that he is the best person to continue heading the District Attorney’s Office.” Continue reading→

Supervisor Lisa Bartlett Congratulates Paul M. Walters on Becoming Orange County District Attorney Chief of the Bureau of Investigations

SANTA ANA Calif – Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District, congratulated Paul M. Walters today for being named Chief for the Orange County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations. One of longest-running law enforcement leaders in California history, Walters had served as Bartlett’s Chief of Staff since she took office in 2014 almost three years ago. Deputy Chief of Staff, Victor Cao has been named as the Supervisor’s new Chief of Staff. Continue reading→

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich became the first local government “Certified Medallion User” of a Medallion Signature Guarantee Stamp after completing the training required by the program. She affixed the first Medallion Guarantee Stamp to several documents for the Office of the District Attorney/Public Administrator (OCDA/PA) Tony Rackauckas last week. Treasurer Freidenrich and OCDA Rackauckas worked together to increase the efficiency relating to the estates administered by the PA. Traditionally, this service has been done by a financial institution, and in December 2016, the County of Orange became the first government agency to be approved to become a Securities Transfer Agent Program Guarantor. Rackauckas stated, “It is very satisfying to work with Treasurer Freidenrich, to solve a problem that has existed for many years. I expect other counties will follow our lead. Most importantly, with the Medallion Guarantee Stamp in place at the County, we will be better and more efficient in serving the needs of decedents, beneficiaries and families in our County.” Continue reading→

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Today, the Orange County Grand Jury (OCGJ) released a report entitled “Another Hostile Work Environment?” in which the members of the OCGJ explored personnel concerns within the Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA) Bureau of Investigation.

“I thank the members of the Grand Jury for their service to our community, for their report that provides a great recitation on the laws and policies regarding sexual harassment, and for recognizing that even a perception is important to address,” said District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “The OCDA takes this issue seriously and has been conducting its own internal personnel investigation for the last seven months, taking appropriate actions as necessary. I have requested that the OCGJ turn over any specific information on actionable items so we can bolster the current investigation; I eagerly await their response,” said Rackauckas. Continue reading→

*Two co-defendants charged with embezzling $1.5 million and $2.3 million respectively

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The former Finance Services Manager for the City of Placentia (Placentia) was sentenced today to 25 years in state prison for embezzling approximately $5.2 million from the city. Michael Minh Nguyen, 34, Irvine, pleaded guilty to 36 felony counts of misappropriation of public funds, 67 felony counts of money laundering, two felony counts of falsifying records, and one felony count of making a non-sufficient funds check, with sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime over $500,000 and property loss over $3.2 million. In addition to prison, Nguyen was ordered to pay $2,649,155.57 in restitution to Placentia and was fined $10,321,471. Continue reading→

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas announced the appointment of Michelle Van Der Linden as the new District Attorney Spokesperson today.

Van Der Linden was born in Santa Monica and has lived in California for most of her life. She enlisted in the California Air National Guard after graduating from Hemet High School and received her undergraduate degree in journalism from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. She went on to become the Public Affairs Officer for her military unit at the 163rd Air Refueling Wing, now known as the 163rd Attack Wing, located at March Air Reserve Base in Moreno Valley. In this role, she traveled the world reporting on the unit’s deployments and mission. Continue reading→